Hello Yupette,
I had the opportunity to view public comment and discussion of Item 35 at the last County Board meeting - purchase of the building at 2020 N. 14th Street for a year-around homelessness mitigation program and for County office space. More bad planning and poor management by the County Manager's Office. The building is likely to cost $30 million to purchase and another $10-15 million to renovate. For $40-$45 million we could have gotten a brand new homelessness treatment facility and a brand new County Office Building custom-built on industrial property the County owns in Shirlington. The building at 2020 N 14th Street currently serves as a small-business incubator and generates $155,000 in real estate tax revenue. The purchase only makes 'sense' in the megalomaniacal world of Chris Zimmerman and County Manager Donnellan, who shares his 'vision' of totally urbanizing Arlington. Of course, Barbara Donnellan lives in Clifton, and most her staff are not disposed to live in the 'urban village' (an oxymoron concocted by Donnellan's PR / propaganda team who also choose not to live in Arlington). Then there are the ward heelers Zimmerman appoints to the Economic Development, Planning, Transportation, etc., advisory commissions who rubber stamp whatever 'smart growth' in-fill project is placed in front of them. When it comes time for THEM to retire they're outta here to live in a good old fashioned dumb growth community far away from Arlington.
Tom 22201
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Longbridge Sports-Recreation Complex May Cost $165 Million
Hello Yupette,
I want to give you a heads up on Longbridge Park. What you heard at Saturday's County Board meeting was finally an admission that the County Board promised the soccer interests an indoor soccer arena, something that was denied by county staff until after the elections.
So, about $35 million has been spent on what exists at Longbridge Park now, another $50 million will be spent on the aquatics center. The indoor soccer arena, field house, and mixed-use recreation facility (which will include every imaginable sports and recreation activity) will cost another $80 million. So all that adds up to $165 million.
The insiders all knew about this deal months ago, but it was kept quiet because Audrey Clement raised fiscal responsibility as a campaign issue when she ran for County Board.
Longbridge Park will be discussed at the continued County Board meeting Tuesday night (agenda item 21) so maybe we'll hear more about how massive, and expensive, the arena will be. Stay tuned.
Peter
I want to give you a heads up on Longbridge Park. What you heard at Saturday's County Board meeting was finally an admission that the County Board promised the soccer interests an indoor soccer arena, something that was denied by county staff until after the elections.
So, about $35 million has been spent on what exists at Longbridge Park now, another $50 million will be spent on the aquatics center. The indoor soccer arena, field house, and mixed-use recreation facility (which will include every imaginable sports and recreation activity) will cost another $80 million. So all that adds up to $165 million.
The insiders all knew about this deal months ago, but it was kept quiet because Audrey Clement raised fiscal responsibility as a campaign issue when she ran for County Board.
Longbridge Park will be discussed at the continued County Board meeting Tuesday night (agenda item 21) so maybe we'll hear more about how massive, and expensive, the arena will be. Stay tuned.
Peter
Friday, December 9, 2011
Arlington's Most Influential NIMBYs - Non-Residents
Hey Yupette.
I had to laugh out loud when I read Patricia Sullivan's article in the Post yesterday about Courthouse area residents being upset about a 24/7/365 homeless shelter / homelessness prevention program in their neighborhood.
Who made the decision to locate a homeless shelter in the Courthouse-Clarendon neighborhood? Our non-resident County Manager (she lives in Clifton) and her non-resident staff.
Oh, Patricia Sullivan lives in D.C. Post's editors almost all live in D.C. or Maryland. Only media presence in Arlington are the blogs.
BTW, no one who's on the County Board now or who's among the top three contenders for Barbara Favola's seat on the County Board lives anywhere near Courthouse.
Thanks for the A.Y. blog.
Mike - 22201
I had to laugh out loud when I read Patricia Sullivan's article in the Post yesterday about Courthouse area residents being upset about a 24/7/365 homeless shelter / homelessness prevention program in their neighborhood.
Who made the decision to locate a homeless shelter in the Courthouse-Clarendon neighborhood? Our non-resident County Manager (she lives in Clifton) and her non-resident staff.
Oh, Patricia Sullivan lives in D.C. Post's editors almost all live in D.C. or Maryland. Only media presence in Arlington are the blogs.
BTW, no one who's on the County Board now or who's among the top three contenders for Barbara Favola's seat on the County Board lives anywhere near Courthouse.
Thanks for the A.Y. blog.
Mike - 22201
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Board Your Horse 1 Mile from Arlington - Where the 'Smart Growth' Redevelopment Decision Makers Live.
Hi Yupette,
Thought you'd be interested in knowing that you can still board your horse a mile from Arlington. Just drive up Chain Bridge Road from Chain Bridge about a mile. You'll see the signs.
Oh, in the event you wondered where the Elitists who make all the 'smart growth' planning decisions for Arlington residents live, they live in Fairfax County, mostly in upscale communities like McLean, Great Falls, and Clifton.
I see them discussing which Arlington neighborhoods they're going to redevelop next at the McLean Family Restaurant.
Happy Holidays,
Peggy, 22207
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Bondi Is Controlled by Zimmerman, Developers
Hello, Yupette,
I received Melissa Bondi's slick brochure in the mail the other day. I've been observing her for several years because I'm concerned about gentrification along the Pike. She's another of Zimmerman's pro-mega development ward heelers.
She's served on the Economic Development Commission and Housing Commission. Responsible for rubber stamping East Falls Church, Crystal City, and Columbia Pike mega-development. Responsible for rubber stamping mega-development close to her own neighborhood, Lyon Park. Endorsed by Inta Malis and James Lander. Need I say more?
I don't want another Zimmerman on the County Board. Only Democrat who is more under Zimmerman's control is Inta.
fed up Dem
I received Melissa Bondi's slick brochure in the mail the other day. I've been observing her for several years because I'm concerned about gentrification along the Pike. She's another of Zimmerman's pro-mega development ward heelers.
She's served on the Economic Development Commission and Housing Commission. Responsible for rubber stamping East Falls Church, Crystal City, and Columbia Pike mega-development. Responsible for rubber stamping mega-development close to her own neighborhood, Lyon Park. Endorsed by Inta Malis and James Lander. Need I say more?
I don't want another Zimmerman on the County Board. Only Democrat who is more under Zimmerman's control is Inta.
fed up Dem
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Citizens Share County Board's Skepticism About Artisphere's Finances
Hello Yupette,
I generally support the performing arts and I'm happy to see the County Manager's Office reorganized the Artisphere's management and implemented a new business plan. But I can't understand why the performing arts community can't make the Artisphere totally non-profit and self-sustaining. These are the same upscale people who raised $60,000 in one evening for dogs and cats.
It's my understanding that at least two more large live theater buildings will be constructed in North Arlington, one in the area near Courthouse Plaza and the other on the site where the Arlington Funeral home is presently located.
If the County Board is skeptical about the Artisphere's long-term viability why not ask the performing arts community to give the Artisphere the financial assistance it needs to succeed? That's only fair to the taxpayers who have endured several years of poor Artisphere planning and management.
Julie
I generally support the performing arts and I'm happy to see the County Manager's Office reorganized the Artisphere's management and implemented a new business plan. But I can't understand why the performing arts community can't make the Artisphere totally non-profit and self-sustaining. These are the same upscale people who raised $60,000 in one evening for dogs and cats.
It's my understanding that at least two more large live theater buildings will be constructed in North Arlington, one in the area near Courthouse Plaza and the other on the site where the Arlington Funeral home is presently located.
If the County Board is skeptical about the Artisphere's long-term viability why not ask the performing arts community to give the Artisphere the financial assistance it needs to succeed? That's only fair to the taxpayers who have endured several years of poor Artisphere planning and management.
Julie
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Zimmerman Mis-Characterizes Shirlington Re-Development
Hello,
I and other Fairlington residents were dismayed by County Board Chairman Zimmerman's mis-characterization of Shirlington redevelopment at the County Board's ceremony yesterday honoring Fairlington resident Nancy Hunt on her retirement from the Planning Commission. Ms. Hunt is also retiring from FDIC and moving from the cul de sac where she lives in Fairlington "to the country" near Charlottesville. Another prime mover in Shirlington redevelopment was former County Member Paul Ferguson, who moved on to become Clerk of the Arlington County Circuit Court. According to several Fairlington residents Mr. Ferguson "avoids visiting Shirlington".
Shirlington is a prime "dumb growth" example of how commercial areas should NOT be re-developed, according to many in the planning community, including several planning consultants who are responsible for "smarter growth" revitalization planning. There is no affordable housing in redeveloped Shirlington, there is massive parking, massive commuting by drivers of single-occupant vehicles (SOVs), no public sports, recreation, or community infrastructure, and "public space" consists of a public plaza next to restaurants and retail. The only "traffic mitigation" concomitant with Shirlington re-development was the installation of asphalt speed tables on South 31st Street between Shirlington and Fairlington, which are crumbling because of increased SOV traffic.
As has been mentioned before, in this blog and elsewhere, Chris Zimmerman is all for massive "dumb growth" redevelopment, as long as that doesn't include the wilderness area across the street from his home in Douglas Park.
Susan, Fairlington
I and other Fairlington residents were dismayed by County Board Chairman Zimmerman's mis-characterization of Shirlington redevelopment at the County Board's ceremony yesterday honoring Fairlington resident Nancy Hunt on her retirement from the Planning Commission. Ms. Hunt is also retiring from FDIC and moving from the cul de sac where she lives in Fairlington "to the country" near Charlottesville. Another prime mover in Shirlington redevelopment was former County Member Paul Ferguson, who moved on to become Clerk of the Arlington County Circuit Court. According to several Fairlington residents Mr. Ferguson "avoids visiting Shirlington".
Shirlington is a prime "dumb growth" example of how commercial areas should NOT be re-developed, according to many in the planning community, including several planning consultants who are responsible for "smarter growth" revitalization planning. There is no affordable housing in redeveloped Shirlington, there is massive parking, massive commuting by drivers of single-occupant vehicles (SOVs), no public sports, recreation, or community infrastructure, and "public space" consists of a public plaza next to restaurants and retail. The only "traffic mitigation" concomitant with Shirlington re-development was the installation of asphalt speed tables on South 31st Street between Shirlington and Fairlington, which are crumbling because of increased SOV traffic.
As has been mentioned before, in this blog and elsewhere, Chris Zimmerman is all for massive "dumb growth" redevelopment, as long as that doesn't include the wilderness area across the street from his home in Douglas Park.
Susan, Fairlington
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)